Xmas 2015 / Weleda Pomegranate Christmas Tree Lantern

Weleda is one of my top favourite brands all year round.

I will say it again, again - their baby range is also fantastic and worth investing in and I also used their products during my pregnancy because it's a brand that I trust.

For the Festive Season 2015, they came out with the cutest little stocking fillers in the form a Christmas Tree Lantern decorations - they will look lovely hanging from a tree branch too! :)

You can choose from a few different scents, I got the Weleda Pomegranate Christmas Tree Lantern* which contains a miniature Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash & a miniature Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil.

The Pomegranate range is nourishing and regenerating to help fight the signs of ageing; it improves firmness and elasticity. The milky body wash is refreshing and invigorating to the senses, thanks to sandalwood and neroli too.

I like to use the oil on damp skin, just out of the shower; the oil is rich in nutrients and it has shown to accelerate renewal by 50% in only two weeks... a real treatment for the body.

Anyway, I recommend that you visit www.Weleda.co.uk because they have an excellent selection of gift ideas for every budget. The Weleda Christmas Tree Lanterns are only £5 which is a really fantastic price for these luxurious items.   

Have you tried Weleda before? Which is your favourite range?

Xmas Ideas / Sactuary Mini Must-Haves

Last instalment of the Christmas gift guide and you can say that I have saved the best for last.

Sanctuary presents for the Holidays 2013  are a luxurious option at affordable prices, starting amazingly from under a tenner.

For example, this Sanctuary Spa Mini Must-Haves* is only £8 and contains a Body Lotion, Body Wash, Foaming Bath Soak and Spa Skin Body Polisher.

I love the sensuous and comforting fragrance of this line! You just need a drop of the foaming bath soak to wrap the whole bathroom with the scent and create a luscious bubble bath; the body wash has micro moisturising spheres - filled with jojoba oil and sesame - that leave the skin silky smooth. Finally  to complete your bathroom ritual, the light body lotion delivers 24hr moisturisation and the mix of ginger & spices also stimulates the circulation. 

What to say… They are such incredible value for money and every year I take advantage for myself and stock up on few favourites.
If you've set your heart on skincare instead - I would pick up the Sanctuary Ultimate Girls Night In (that also comes in a gorgeous purple pouch)… or if you're looking for a showstopping offering - the Sanctuary Top To Toe Glow Pamper Tin is guaranteed to impress!

Sanctuary is a brand that I'm very familiar with and I feel heartily to recommend for some last minute shopping: you can buy Sanctuary gift sets at Sanctuary Spa, on www.sanctuary.com, Boots and Debenhams today!

Xmas Ideas / Signed by Weleda

I rely on Weleda myself all-year-round, and Christmas is the perfect time to share/introduce this brand to the people in my life too.

For the Holidays 2013, they are proposing these new Mini Crackers, filled with iconic products like Skin Food and Hand Creams. My favourite is the blue one which comes with a Moisturizer for Men; it's ideal for that colleague that you don't know too well and you're stuck with for the office Secret Santa (and let's face it, it's more difficult to shop for men!). They are also perfect as stocking fillers with the cute packaging and affordable prices, starting at only £3.50.

The Weleda Christmas Duo 'Handbag' Gift Set is a luxurious present to pamper a loved one, instead. It contains a full size 200ml Creamy Body Wash and full size 200ml Body Lotion.

Again, great attention has been paid to the packaging and they come presented in an original handbag box.

Sea Buckthorn* is a new introduction for me - I can say that I have pretty much tried any other fragrance from Weleda - and it's especially recommended for dry skin. 

You can also choose from Pomegranate - for ageing skin - Wild Rose - for  normal to dry skin - and Citrus - for normal skin.

In particular, the body lotions are a new 100% natural range rich in pure oils and fatty acids to help the skin regain and maintain its natural balance.
Weleda's Sea Buckthorn berries are harvested from the Tuscany countryside and the seeds are pressed to release its replenishing oil, full of antioxidants too.

They have the same creamy consistency like the body wash, but melt into the skin without leaving any residue. 

Sea Buckthorn is a refreshing scent with citrusy tones that also invigorates the senses… A new favourite for me!
Which one would you like to see under the tree? :)

Introducing / di palomo

 di palomo is a brand Made in England... but inspired by Italy!
They have 4 ranges - White Grape with Aloe, Tuscan Rose, Wild Fig & Grape and Orange Blossom with Wild Honey & Olive; in every line, you'll find products for the bath, body and for the home.

di palomo White Grape with Aloe Moisturizing Liquid Soap* caught my eye, straight away. I tend to spend a bit of money on hand soaps and don't normally buy cheap supermarket brands that tend to dry my hands. My hands are very delicate by nature, plus they get battered every day by this unforgiving Scottish weather, so I really need to pay extra attention, even in such a mundane task.

This liquid soap is formulated with the finest ingredients to deterge and hydrate your hands; you also need a tiny drop because it foams up really well and the acidity of the grapes adds a layer of zestiness that is divine. Especially in the mornings, it removes all the oily make up residue off my fingers, in seconds.
I'm now addicted to sniffing my hands and in desperate need of the matching hand cream too! :)

di palomo Orange Blossom with Wild Honey & Olive Moisturzing Body Wash* smells incredible!
I can't even begin to describe the scent, it's something you need to experience for yourself... and fall in love.
As mentioned above, the range also includes room products like fragrant reeds and candles and I think they've become a must have - I want my house to smell like this all the time!!!

 I've been using it in the shower and it's a total pleasant, invigorating experience. First thing in the morning, the sparkling scent is perfect to wake you up and it stays on the skin all day; I had some female colleagues commenting on it and actually smelling my arm!!! :D
It's very nourishing and soothing thanks to the natural extracts of orange blossom, honey & olives plus it's enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 to keep the skin soft and supple.

I love the attention to details about this brand: apart from the quality and research put into the ingredients (that shows), there are a lot of cute touches that, in my opinion, set a brand apart from the rest (proof is in the photos).
Imagine also gifting these items: you'd definitely make a bella figura, as we say... which kinda of means showing off;  in the way that you care, with a thoughtful present that is going to be appreciated... but basically, you just need to relax and only take all the merit. ;)

 

I really can't pick a favourite, I love them both so much.
I'm also hoping di palomo will add more lines to their collection because they seem to have cracked the secret to scent perfection!!!

Have you tried anything from di palomo yet?

Introducing / He-Shi

I'm not a hardcore fanatic when it comes to tanning but I still appreciate that a good tan can really enhance the appearance of your skin. In particular, if you have to attend a special event or show a bit more flesh than usual, a tasteful tan can boost your confidence and generally make you look healthier.

Said that, I still think that sunbathing/tanning beds can be dangerous and pretty time consuming so my 'tool' of choice is always been a self-tanning product.

He-Shi is an award winning, professional brand with a wide selection of tanning products that deliver a beautiful and golden fool-proof tan!

The range includes liquid tan, foaming mousse, gradual tan but also 'preparation' and 'finishing' items like scrubs, moisturizers and bronzers.

He-Shi Quick+Easy Exfoliating Bodywash*

Man, i didn't know you could get sooo excited about a bath product. :)

This is, most definitely, one of the best scrubs that I have ever used; it smells divine of strawberries and it's a treat for the skin. It's super quick to use because doubles as a bodywash and, although used wet, it still provides sufficient scrubbing action. Also it cleanses gently, it foams nicely and a little goes a long way.

He-Shi Quick+Easy Day To Day Gradual Tan*

I was apprehensive to use a product formulate both for face & body: in my experiences, they tend to be too rich but the consistency of this self tanner is very light and fresh so sits very comfortably on the skin and didn't give me a greasy face.

I like the control you get from a gradual tanner - no mistakes or streaks in sight, no weird development overnight but gives a natural look because it works in unison with your skintone.

Personally, to achieve the grade of colour that I wanted, I had to apply the product for 6 consecutive days and now I top it up twice a week, to maintain the tan.

It also contains hydrating agents so my skin is also been taken care of all summer.

What's your favourite tanning method?

Empties / February

This post is a bit late this month, I can't believe it's nearly mid-march o.O

Anyway, here are the products that I finished in February.

Nivea Firming Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream: I have used this body cream before; the texture is really smooth and light and absorbs quickly. Ideal to apply in the morning and the scent is also really fresh.

Repurchase: yes

Evolve Skin Cocoon Body Wash: another lovely body product that I highly recommend! Evolve is a quality organic brand with a great ethos and that performs well, too; definitely looking into try more from them.  I prefer to use this body wash in shower because it doesnt' foam up a lot so it's not the best for a bubble bath. Smells like candies... yum

Repurchase: yes

Ysl Forever Youth Liberator Serum: I can't say I was particularly impressed with this sample. Maybe I was expecting too much but It didn't perform better than my favourite serum: Estee Lauder Night Repair Serum. I would probably score 6 out of 10 because I still didn't have any bad reaction and moisturized well but it definitely didn't wow me. Also, it smells kinda of alcohol-y.
Repurchase: no
StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles: this has become one of my favourite eye cream. It seems to target wrinkles but I actually saw a huge improvement in my dark circles and chuffed to bits about that. It also absorbs nicely and allows a good application of make up afterwards.
Repurchase: yes
Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid: another great product from Caudalie! The consistency is kinda of a runny cream and a little goes a long way. It gave me perfect hydration for the whole day and didn't break me out (always a plus!). I should just mention that I love the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet-Creme better but lovely lovely cream. The scent also is so comforting, reminds me of relaxing days by the sea. :)
Repurchase: yes
Renu Radiant Skin Peel: I can't believe how impressed I've been with this tiny sample; I managed to squeeze 2 uses out of it but I already saw great results after the first use too. You just keep it in pose for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Afterwards my skin looked and felt purified, my pores visibly clean and smaller... I couldn't believe my eyes!
Repurchase: yes

All in all, a great month - I discovered some lovely products and my stash is starting to get smaller, too... hehe... I was running out of space! ;)
xxx

Liz Earle Advent Calendar / 17

Day 17 - Liz Earle Energising Body Wash

loving all the essential oils and ingredients in this product... looking forward to try it out in the shower soon.

I adore the scrub from this line so I will use them together to get the most out of them.

Liz Earle Advent Calendar / 4

Day 4 - Liz Earle Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash

Excited to try this body wash out... orange flower scent is very promising... right up my street! :)

Review / Weleda

I'm a great fan of Weleda products! 

I like their ethical respect for the resources and natural approach in every aspect of the production where only pure natural ingredients are used and artificial preservatives are never used.

  I swear by the Birch Cellulite Oil that I use every night, after bath/shower, on wet skin; lately, I was lucky enough to had the chance to try more from their bodycare line...

Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash*

This body wash can be used both in the bath or in the shower - and the convenient tube is, also, ideal for travelling.

The creamy consistency creates a milky film which nourishes and gently cleanses the skin.

The fragrance is, actually, pretty mild - it's not your typical rose smell: rosehip oil is blended with damask rose which gives it a musky twist.

To be honest, I've been won over by the scent and I want to try the Wild Rose Deodorant, next!

The product is, also, free from synthetic fragrances, colours, preservatives and derives from mineral oils.

Skin Food*

This cream is one of my favourite discovery from this month!

It presents itself like a very thick cream (a bit like nappy rash cream) and performs like a multi-use balm. It has, totally, be a savior for my hands: we've been redecorating/painting walls and my hands were in such a state - dry and flaky from the scrubbing and nasty chemicals. 

Well, I applied Skin Food every night, before bed, and in 2 days I could see an amazing improvement; It, totally, restored the skin on my hands to normal form and replenished my weak cuticles, too.

As I mentioned, this is an all-round product: it can be used on the whole body, wherever you have some dry or rough skin in need of rescue - also perfect as a protective cream in harsh weather.

What's your favourite Weleda' product??

Delivery / REN

Hello lovelies!

Few posts ago - here - I was telling you about the amazing offer REN is running and last week, I received my order.

Six of the Best

This set was part of the offer and completely free with any purchase!

I've been wanting to learn more about REN so this is perfect as the samples are generous and they are a mix of everything: a cleansing gel, serum, eye cream, mask, .., ..,

It contains:

- Mayblossom Balancing Cleansing Gel

- Jojoba Micro Bead Invigorating Facial Polish

- Omega 3 Night Repair Serum

- Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

- Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream

Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel

Travel Kit

I decided to order this because the set above already gives me plenty to try about skincare; also, it comes in a clear zip bag which is going to be useful for carrying your hand luggage allowance.

This kit includes:

- Neroli and Grapefruit Body Cream

- Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash

- Oat and Bay Conditioning Shampoo

- Pro-Vitamin Hair Conditioner

Finally, I picked this additional samples:

- Photoactive Sun Veil SPF15

- F10 Smooth and Renew Mask

*UPDATE*

Being the serum junkie that I am, I decided to start with the Omega 3 Night Repair Serum; it smelled really fishy and the consistency didn't seem right so I read online that it could have gone off, as the normal smell is more peachy.

I contacted REN on Twitter and they offered to check it for me and to send it back freepost; apparently, it was fine but it clearly wasn't right for my skin as it's a very oily serum... so they offered to send me another serum to try: I chose the Keep Young and Beautiful SH3C Serum.

Very impressed with their friendly and prompt service! :)

Have you tried any of these?

Which one is your favourite? :)

Introducing / Evolve

"Better for our health, our enviroment and our skin"

Evolve caught my attention when a sample was sent in a beauty box, few months ago...

The Ethos of the brand is that we need to live a bit better!

Simple as that! BUT, oh boy, if that's true... and few simple changes can make such a massive difference.

 I want to pay particular attention to that because I always find it amazing when a brand put so much effort in going green and, definitely, deserves the recognitions and praises.

First is to go organic, with ingredients that are healthier and safer for the skin; their products are certified organic by Ecocert and are a minimum 95% natural and with all the ingredients being biodegradable.

Of course, no nasties: no parabens, SLS/SLES, PEGs, DEA, mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol, GMO, synthetic fragrances.

You can, actually, go on the website and you'll find a glossary of the ingredients - many which you'll recognize easily as they start from the principle that if something is good enough to eat, then it must do some good to your skin, too. :)

 

Also, the packaging - let's not forget which could be pure waste - Evolve only use 100% recycled bottles and everything is produced in Uk to lower carbon footprint.

I think these bottles are adorable - love the whole concept and the prints - I do want my bath to look pretty!! ;)

Recently, I've been testing Evolve Skin Cocoon Body Wash* in the morning; I need to say, I've been using it in the shower because doesn't really foam up massively and I love a bubbly bath! :)

The smell is so amazing, like a mix of caramel & yogurth that stays on my skin (and shower cubicle) for most of the day.

Main ingredients are organic coconut and sugar extracts that cleanse without upsetting sensitive skin.

Evolve - especially - caters for sensitive skin and they, also, have a guide online with useful tips if you suffer from this problem.

My skin is super hydrated and I have, sincerely, been enjoying using this body wash - definitely, the scent adds to the general experience!

Evolve offers skincare, bodycare and haircare products... and next on my list is the new Liquid Crystal Cleanse & Tone - definitely, worth checking out!!!